Hannah Dingley who joined Forest Green Rovers four years ago has become the first woman to take charge of a men’s English football league club.
The Gloucestershire club appointed Dingley following the departure of 51-year-old Scotsman Duncan Ferguson who was appointed in January but has been unable to keep them in League One, with Rovers winning just six of their 46 games.
Rovers have now moved to install Dingley in interim charge, making her the first woman to lead a men’s professional senior team in England.
Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said on the club website: “Hannah was the natural choice for us to be first-team interim head coach.
She’s done a fantastic job leading our academy and is well aligned with the values of the club.
“It’s perhaps telling for the men’s game that in making this appointment on merit, we’ll break new ground – and Hannah will be the first female head coach in English [men’s] football.”
Dingley on her part said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to step up and lead such a progressive and forward-thinking club”
“I’m really excited for this next step of my career,” she said. “Pre-season has just begun, and the full season kicks off very soon. It’s an exciting time in football.
39-year-old Dingley previously coached women’s teams at Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Lincoln and was head of coaching at League One side Burton Albion’s academy. She will continue preparations for the club’s opening pre-season fixture against non-League Melksham Town on Wednesday night.
